Chapter 65: Chapter 65: The Proposition
When Shikamaru asked another question, Danz lightly hit the ground with his cane and replied:
- Do not belittle your abilities, I already know that you received Genin's protector, the fact that you stayed in the Academy is also clear to me. You have unique abilities, so it was natural that I had to meet with you and propose to you.
Shikamaru frowned warily and continued to listen in silence. Judging by the old man's words, he knows a thing or two about his powers ...
At the same moment, Danz began to slowly move forward towards the guy:
- Although Hiruzen is trying to hide a lot about you, he could not hide something ... - stopping a couple of meters from Shikamaru, Danzo let go of the cane and slowly began to get something out of his bosom. The cane stood motionless, as if it had been nailed to the ground. This trick didn't surprise Shikamaru, he was much more interested in slowly pulling Danz Д out of his clothes.
As soon as Shikamaru saw this object, he could not resist mentally cursing:
"Damn ... This is a bobble." Danz took out a small bone. These are the bones that Shikamaru often used during training. Most often, he buried them, but it seems that it did not help and Danzo somehow managed to get one, or maybe more ... It was not always possible to calculate how many bones were lost. So the loss of one or two was expected.
"I suppose it's yours," the old man held out his palm with a small bone towards Shikamaru. "The distal phalanx of the index finger. It looks like you dropped ...
Shikamaru just grinned wryly and accepted the bone.
- So you guessed it, it looks like I was not careful.
"You're right, hiding your gift might have been somewhat stupid, but that also made sense. But, in the village, my eyes and ears are enough. It was a matter of time before I found out about you and your gift.
Putting the bone back in his pocket, Shikamaru asked gloomily:
- Now what?
"Nothing ..." Danz put his hand back on the cane and said calmly as well: "Shikotsumyaku is a rarity, even for the Kaguya clan who are able to get it. Therefore, I have come to invite you to the Root. With your wits and abilities, I am confident that you will become a very strong shinobi of the village, and I have a lot of experience in training strong shinobi. Soon there will be a standard set of clan ninjas in the Root and a candidate should also come from your clan, it may well be that you will turn out to be one.
- Can I refuse? Shikamaru raised an eyebrow inquiringly. The old man came to him personally, it was very unusual.
Danz nodded briefly.
"Naturally, Hiruzen is watching over you, so I can't just pick you up. I just have to warn you boy. If you strive for power, then in the Root you belong. If you want knowledge, there is much more of it in the Root than in the Hokage archive. He won't give you what I could, so you should ...
And it was at this moment that a hoarse voice was heard from the side:
- I think he should go home. It's getting late ... - Shikamaru and Danz instantly turned their heads towards the voice. Ten meters off to the side, a silhouette stood in the shadows. As soon as they both turned towards him, the man stepped out of the shadows. Shikamaru already knew who it was, he simply could not confuse his voice, and Danz probably also immediately understood everything, because only Hiruzen could make this elder grimace like that.
"Hiruzen ..." Danz nodded slightly to the Hokage who came out into the moonlight. The Third himself smiled a little in response:
- Danzo ... And I was still waiting for you to come to the boy. Didn't your people tell you that you shouldn't keep an eye on him?
The situation immediately became quite tense, causing Shikamaru to grimace slightly. Hiruzen looked so friendly that it didn't even fit the situation, but Danz was the opposite. The arrival of the Hokage seemed to upset him a little.
- You know, I could not lose sight of such a talent. Yes, and you yourself understand that someone like him will be much better and safer in Root. His abilities are unique and developing them is an important task of the village.
"I agree," Hiruzen nodded slightly. "But I think Shikamaru will make his own choice, without our help.
Danz chuckled and nodded briefly at Hiruzen, took one last look at Shikamaru and slowly began to walk away. The old man still had thoughts in his head. Although Hiruzen said about the choice of Shikamaru, he himself had already managed to stretch out his hands to him. Now Danz had little chance of recruiting the guy, he already understood this when he came here. Therefore, after walking a couple of meters, Danzo turned his head slightly and said seriously:
"Shikamaru Nara is a genius, but remember, if you use your powers against the village, it will end badly for you. The root is always watching ...
Having finished with his warnings, which looked a little like a threat, Danz immediately disappeared without a trace, leaving behind several leaves floating in the wind.
Shikamaru immediately breathed out a sigh of relief. In a past life, he was hardened in difficulties, but even so, this old man made him notably nervous. Although, his threat to Shikamaru amused a little ...
Moving his gaze to the Hokage, he immediately smiled.
- Not taking his words to heart, Danzo is a little ... Well, let's just say, he is trying for the good of the village, albeit with his own methods. As for the rest, we will discuss this later, the time is already late ...
Shikamaru involuntarily grinned at these words. Either Hiruzen was really blind, or he was too soft-hearted. For the Leader, both of these qualities, albeit separately, were the worst drawbacks. Of course, in his smile, Shikamaru showed no true emotion. Still, Hiruzen had good sides, and the fight against Danz and his eradication was not an easy task. Not to mention the old friendship of these two, Hiruzen has neglected this weed too much, now it cannot be pulled out without harm to the tree. Therefore, all that Hiruzen could now was to live in the same village with Danz.
For Shikamaru, accustomed to uprooting weeds, such a look was a failure, but he is not a teacher for the old man. It would be silly and pointless. All he could do now was keep learning and building strength. Whatever the world is, power always decides everything. The shinobi world is no exception ...
After saying goodbye to the Hokage, Shikamaru was finally able to safely return home. After listening to another reprimand from his mother about his long walks, the guy had dinner and went to bed. As soon as he touched the pillow, Shikamaru immediately fell asleep. This difficult day was finally over ...
***
At the same time, in a hidden part of the Leaf Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's approach to village rule was truly unusual. Even after Danz's assassination attempt on him, he not only received no punishment, but even Root was not disbanded. Of course, the elder was not surprised, it was quite in the spirit of Hiruzen. Another annoying trait ... Now Danz was really surprised, it turned out that he seriously decided to look after the boy, which definitely complicated everything ... He did not think that after such a failure with Orochimaru, the Third would even dare to take teach someone.
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